| Amazing
Kids! of the Month
Amazing
Kids! is proud to highlight the Amazing
Kids! of the Month!
Each
month, we showcase kids who are accomplishing amazing things.
We hope that by telling their special stories, we will inspire other kids
to accomplish their own amazing achievements.
Amazing
Kid! of the Month for May, 2004:
Amazing Animal Associates Founder, Darcie Hancock;
Corfu, New York
Quote
of the Month:
"We
want to help animals, the ones who have no voice...We want to educate
other kids and people about cruelty and neglect of animals and how real
the abuse is. We want kids to know there are many things they can
do to help."
Amazing Darcie Hancock, age 14
Animal Associates Founder and President
Amazing Kids! knows that most kids love animals. That is why our May
Amazing Kid! of the Month story
is one that you're sure to love! It is about amazing Darcie
Hancock, a 14 year old animal lover who started her own kids' club to
help save animals from being hurt or abused. Read Darcie's story
below and who knows? Maybe you'll be inspired to join in her
efforts to help animals too!
Be sure to visit the "Related Links" section at the end of the story
to visit the Animal Associates website to learn more about how you can get involved.
Table
of Contents
 Amazing Darcie and Animal Associates
In Her Own Words: Darcie's Story
 Related Links
Amazing Darcie and Animal Associates
Amazing Darcie, founder, Animal Associates
Darcie
Hancock is an enthusiastic 8th grader from Corfu, New York. Amazing
Darcie is a girl who has many talents. She participates in school
sports, has done modeling and acting, is a very good
student and is currently taking scuba lessons! But there is one thing Darcie loves to do more than
anything: helping animals!
Ever since she was a little girl, her passion has been
helping animals. From the time she was 11, when
she tried to apply for a job at a local veterinary office, to the present,
volunteering at H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary and the Wyoming County SPCA, the safety of animals has been
her concern. One of her primary goals
is to raise the awareness of animal abuse and let other kids know that they can
make a difference, too!
The amazing Animal Associates Club, Batavia, New York
Kids often
want to know just how other kids like them get started doing their amazing
activities. Here is how Darcie got started:
When
she was 11, Darcie asked if she could volunteer at a veterinary
hospital, but
was turned down because of her young age. This only made her
determination stronger. She was discouraged but realized she could
still educate herself
about important animal issues. This is
when she started writing Letters to the Editor and submitted them to
various newspapers
about animals.
Darcie meeting Dr. Fitzgerald
from Animal Planet's E Vets
Working together with her friend, Jenna, they started
a club to prove that kids were not too young to help or volunteer. She began to research all she could about
her favorite subject – animals.
She
began expanding her knowledge and experience by:
- reading
everything she could about animals
- attending
summer zoo camps
- entering
zoo apprentice programs
- taking an
animal emergency care course at a community college
- observing
employees at two animal hospitals and Second Chance Wildlife
Rehabilitation Center
- volunteering at H.O.R.S.E. Rescue and Sanctuary and the Wyoming County SPCA
|
A very young Darcie with model/actor Fabio, when Darcie won a kids' beauty pageant
(Darcie says: "My mom told me to 'feel him' to see if he was real!") |
Darcie's mother, Dinene, has been a big supporter of Darcie through all
of Darcie's efforts at helping animals. Darcie's mother talks of
Darcie's amazing hard work and dedication:
"Darcie has spent many years of dedication to animals having to give up
some of her free time, but this is her life. She has a deep and special
love for animals and helping them. She has met Dr. Fitzgerald of Animal
Planets ER Vets, she has studied the New York State Wildlife
Rehabilitation Guide. She is presently getting scuba certified with a
PADA dive center for future volunteer work.
"She has swam with sea lions and dolphins, and attended three different Sea Worlds.
"Darcie has her family’s full support, along with the public. Being in
the public spotlight, it is important that she maintain her grade
average of A. All of Darcie’s experiences have been numerous, she has
surpassed her initial goal and has set high standards for herself, the
club and her future. Darcie plans to attend Veterinary school and go on
to work in the ‘animal field’. She knows, being responsible is a top
priority by being President of her club. Darcie’s leadership skills are
strong, she has made many new friends along the way, her faith is
powerful, and she has a bright and promising future ahead of her. She
will continue to reach for the highest and brightest stars. Darcie
hopes are to reach other kids by telling them, it can be done, do not
give up, you are not too young, if you dream it, you can achieve it."
In Her Own Words: Darcie's Story
"I
started Animal Associates when I was 11 years old. I am now
almost 14. I began my career of volunteer work when I was
four years old, accompanying my Mom to pediatric wards of hospitals to
deliver toys and candy. As I grew older, I began ringing the bell for
the Salvation Army, dressing myself and my large plush dogs as elves to
get people’s attention. It worked, and people were generous. My life
took a turn in loving animals and having a need to be near them.
"When I was 11, I asked if I could volunteer at a veterinary
hospital but was turned down because of my age. This only made my
devotion stronger. I was discouraged but realized I could still educate
myself about important animal issues. This is when I started writing to
the Letter of the Editor about animals. I then started my own club, I
could prove kids were not to young to help or volunteer. I began
reading everything I could about animals, attended summer zoo camps,
then into Zoo Apprentice programs, took an animal emergency care course
at a community college, and was allowed to shadow employees at two
animal hospitals and Second Chance Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. I
was lucky enough to be able to swim with dolphins and sea lions, and I
am becoming scuba certified to be able to scuba with sea lions and
clean their tanks as a volunteer when I am older. I have enjoyed every
minute of being with animals.
"The club now has 14 members.
"I am active in sports;cross country and track on a varsity level since
the age of 12. Since,I have earned all stars county and
sectionals recognition for both track and X-C, also making it to X-C
Stateswhere I placed second on my school varsity XC team.
"Finding time for animals is a priority for me. We really have so much
fun when the club gets together for meetings, fundraisers, and ice
cream parties. The kids and teens of all ages work together and get
along very well.
"Kids can reach for the highest and brightest star; you are never to young to learn or help."
Darcie Hancock
It takes a lot of dedication and uses up much of her free time away from school,
but Darcie has such a special love for animals, that she does not mind. With the full support of her family,
friends and fellow club-members, she is bound to be successful at whatever she sets her mind to achieving.
Keep
up the great work, Darcie! You can be very proud to know that you
are helping make a difference in many animals lives!
Back
to Table of Contents
Related
Links:
You
can read more about Darcie’s animal activism, the club and some of her amazing
experiences at the Animal Associates website:
Animal Associates' website:
http://animalassociates.freeservers.com
The following online magazines feature Darcie:
http://historyswomen.com
(Click "History in the making")
http://homeschoolingteens.com
http://parentsandteens.com (Click "Teen scene", then "Teen helps abused animals")
Back
to Table of Contents
<--Back
to the Top
<--Back
to the Amazing Kids! of the Month Index
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A
Special Message from Amazing Kids! for all you kids:
It's no secret...every
person has an "amazing-ness" inside of them, just waiting to be discovered.
(Sometimes we just need a little help in finding out what that "amazing-ness"
is!)
If you are doing
some amazing things too, we want to hear about it! Send
us your stories about your amazing accomplishments, so we can tell
the world just how amazing you are! We are always looking for new
stories. And don't be shy! We'd love to hear from you!
Here's an idea
you might want to try:
WHY
NOT HELP OTHERS SEE THEIR OWN POTENTIAL?
If you know someone
who needs a little encouragement, why not tell them what you think is special
about them? Maybe you can be the one to help them uncover
their own special talents!
Amazing Kids! is
looking for teens to be Amazing Teen Volunteers
and Ambassadors . If you'd like to join Amazing Kids! in helping
to spread the word, please email us at: info@amazing-kids.org
HELP
US SPREAD THE WORD:
It's cool to be an Amazing Kid!
|
For
more information about Amazing Kids!
, please contact us at:
info@amazing-kids.org. |
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